Applications closed on 08 Aug 2026. This page is kept as a reference for the eligibility rules, salary and selection process, which usually carry over to the next cycle.
For roles you can still apply to, see the latest job openings.
Are you an engineering student looking to land a high-paying internship or a pre-placement interview (PPI) at a top multinational tech company? The Adobe University Hackathon 2026 is officially live and accepting applications! This is a massive opportunity for tech students across India to showcase their coding and problem-solving skills directly to Adobe’s hiring team.
Whether you are a first-year student or in your final year, this national-level innovation challenge could be your gateway to a premium career. With the theme focused on “Speak to Agents: The New Language of Brand Visibility,” you and your team can win MacBooks and secure a highly coveted spot at Adobe India.
Quick Overview
| Organization Name | Adobe India |
| Event Name | Adobe University Hackathon 2026 |
| Theme | Speak to Agents: The New Language of Brand Visibility |
| Target Audience | Engineering Students (B.Tech, M.Tech, Dual Degree) |
| Prizes | MacBooks, Pre-Placement Interviews (PPIs), Internships |
| Registration Mode | Online (via Unstop) |
Important Dates
- Registration Deadline: August 8, 2026
- Round 1 (Online Assessment): August 9, 2026
- Round 2 (Development Round): August 16 – September 6, 2026
- Round 3 (Prototype Showcase): September 13 – September 27, 2026
- Grand Finale: Offline at Adobe Noida HQ (Dates TBA)
Prizes, Salary & Benefits
Participating in this hackathon isn’t just about building cool projects; it’s a direct pipeline to a career at Adobe.
- Top Performers: Will be fast-tracked to direct Pre-Placement Interviews (PPIs) for software engineering roles at Adobe.
- Internship Opportunities: High-performing students can secure highly-paid summer internships.
- Gadgets & Tech: Premium prizes, including Apple MacBooks, will be awarded to the winning teams and runners-up.
- Mentorship: Get direct guidance and feedback from senior Adobe engineers and product managers during the development rounds.
A PPI route like this is worth understanding properly before you chase it — our guide on choosing between a paid and unpaid internship covers how to judge what an internship offer is actually worth beyond the brand name attached to it.
Eligibility Criteria & Team Rules
Adobe has kept the eligibility very open, making this a perfect opportunity for almost any engineering student.
- Education: You must be currently enrolled in a B.Tech/B.E., M.Tech/M.E., or dual-degree STEM program at a recognized college.
- Year of Passing: Open to students from all academic years (from 1st year all the way to final year).
- Branches: Open to all engineering branches and specializations.
- Team Formation: You must form a team of 2 to 3 members. All members must belong to the same college/institute. Cross-college teams are not permitted.
- Flexibility: Cross-year and cross-branch teams within the same college are completely allowed and encouraged!
Detailed Stages and Timelines
The hackathon is divided into four major rounds, moving from an online screening to an exciting offline finale.
- Round 1 – Online Assessment (Aug 09, 2026 | 02:00 PM – 10:00 PM IST):
Participants will face a rigorous 2-hour online assessment comprising 15 MCQs (15 minutes), 1 coding challenge (30 minutes), and a detailed Case Study on Brand Visibility (45 minutes). Your team’s final score is calculated based on the average score of all members! - Live Launch Session:
Before development begins, shortlisted teams will attend an interactive session with industry leaders. You’ll get a detailed briefing on the problem statement, expectations, and the chance to ask direct questions to shape your approach. - Round 2 – Development Round (Aug 16 – Sep 06, 2026):
Teams will receive the detailed problem statement and must build a working solution from scratch. You’ll need to submit your GitHub repository link and supporting documents before the deadline. - That last requirement catches more teams out than the coding itself. A messy repository with one commit named “final” reads badly to engineers reviewing dozens of submissions — if your version control habits stop at pushing to a personal repo, our Git and GitHub roadmap covers the branching, commit hygiene and README conventions that make a team submission look professional.
- Round 3 – Prototype Showcase (Sep 13 – Sep 27, 2026):
Taking it a step further, teams must build an interactive, working prototype of their solution. The focus here is on user experience (UI/UX), smooth navigation, and the core value your idea delivers. Team leaders will present their solutions based on official guidelines. - This is the round where backend-heavy teams typically lose ground. If nobody on your team is comfortable building an interface, our frontend developer roadmap is a practical starting point for getting a presentable prototype together.
- Round 4 – Grand Finale:
The top-qualifying teams earn the exclusive opportunity to present their prototypes directly to Adobe’s leadership at their headquarters in Noida. The best part? Adobe covers all travel and accommodation expenses for the finalists!
How to Apply
- Click the direct application link in the section below to visit the official Unstop registration page.
- Log in using your student email or create a new Unstop account.
- Form your team of 2-3 members from your college. Make sure everyone accepts the team invite!
- Complete the registration form and submit it before the strict deadline on August 8, 2026.
Important Direct Links
If You Reach the Interview Stage
A PPI is a shortcut past the resume screen, not past the interview. Two things worth preparing in advance:
- Adobe will still ask for a CV at the offer stage — our ATS resume format for fresher software engineers shows how to present hackathon projects as real engineering work rather than a line item.
- The technical rounds are followed by managerial and HR conversations. Our top 20 HR interview questions for freshers covers what actually comes up there.
Other Internships Open to Freshers
Hackathon PPIs are one route into a product company. These internship openings are the more conventional one:
- Stripe Software Engineer Internship
- Microsoft Software Engineering Internship
- Primebook Backend Developer Intern
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can a single student participate in the Adobe Hackathon?
No, participation requires a team of exactly 2 to 3 members. - Are cross-college teams allowed?
No, all team members must be currently enrolled in the exact same college or university. - Can first-year students apply?
Yes! The hackathon is open to students across all academic years. - Is there any registration fee?
No, registering and participating in the Adobe University Hackathon is completely free.
Engineering graduate and founder of FreshersJob4U. I write detailed job guides, interview prep resources, and career roadmaps for freshers and early-career professionals in India. This site started from my own experience with the scattered, confusing fresher job search — I wanted to build something cleaner.